Envelop.



E. G. SHREVE.

ENVBLOP.

APPLICATION Hum 001'. 20, 1910.

Patented May 21, 1912.

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, is a plan view of the removable postage EIPHRAIM G. SHREVE, 0F ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

ENVELOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1912.

Application filed October 20, 1910. Serial No. 588,021.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EPI-IRAIM G. Snnnvn, of Atlantic City, in the State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Envelops, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

It is the object of my invention to provide an envelop with adjustable means for securing therein articles such as photographs, card plates, etc., of different sizes without changing the exterior dimensions of the envelop.

An adjunctive feature of my invention is the provision of means whereby such an envelop may be reversed, and, modifications of the invention include reversible portions of such an envelop respectively provided with addresses and postage stamps.

My invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In the drawings :-Figure I is a front view of an envelop embodying my improvement. Fig. II is a rear view of the envelop shown in Fig. I. Fig. III is a sectional view of said envelop, taken on the line'III, III in Fig. II. Fig. IV is a sectional view of said envelop, taken on the line IV, IV in Fig. II. Fig. V is an'inside open plan view of said envelop shown in Figs. I and IV inclusive but on a smaller scale. Fig. VI is a plan view of the reinforcing card indicated in Figs. III and IV but on the same scale as Fig. V. Figs. VII and VIII are respectively front and rear views of said envelop in reversed position. Fig. IX shows a modified form of my invention including removable and reversible address and postage stamp panels. Fig. X is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line X, X in Fig. IX. Fig. XI is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line XI in Fig. IX. Fig. XII is a plan view of the removable address panel shown in Fig. IX. Fig. XIII stamp panel shown in Fig. IX.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. I to VIII inclusive, the envelop formed from the blank shown in Fig. V ineludes the quadrangular body portion 1 having the opposite transverse side or end flaps 2 and 3 and opposite longitudinal side flaps 4 and 5. Said body portion 1 has opposite side slots 7 and 8 respectively extending into said flaps 4 and 5, and, opposite end Slots 9 and 10 respectively extending into said end flaps 2 and 3, crossing the lines where said flaps are folded with respect to'said body portion, so as to form marginal notches in theenvelop. Said flap 1 has opposite end notches 12 and 13 respectively adapted to register with said slots 9 and 10, and, said flap 5 has opposite end notches 15 and 16 respectively adapted to register with said slots 9 and 10 when the envelop is formed. Said flap 5 is also provided with the reinforcing string patch 18 upon its inner face shown in Fig. V, securing the end 20 of the string 21 in connection with said flap 5 and reinforcing the latter to receive a fastener, for instance the eyelet 22 which holds upon respectively opposite sides of said flap 5 the disks 23 and 2 1 which detachably engage said string 21. That is to say, when an envelop is formed as shown in Figs. I to IV inclusive, with the string patch 18 upon the inside of said flap 5; the disk 24 serves to secure the other end of said string 20, but, when the envelop is reversely formed with said patch 18 upon the outside of said flap 5 as shown in Fig. VIII, said string 21 is extended through the opening 25 in said flap 5 as shown in Fig. VIII; said string being, in the first instance, extended through the opening 26 in said flap directly beneath the disk 24 as shown in Fig. II.

The reinforcing card 30 shown in Figs. III, IV and VI fits in the envelop when formed as shown in Fig. II or as shown in Fig. VIII, and, the marginal notches 31, 32, 33 and 3 1 in said card 30 register with the slots 7 8, 9 and 10 in said envelop, so that the string 21 being wrapped in said slots and notches as shown in Figs. II and VIII, accidental displacement of said string is prevented. As shown in Fig. VI said card 30 is provided with tabs 36, 37 38 and 39 respectively attached at their inner ends to said card, adjoining the inner ends of said slots 31, 32, 33 and 34, so that as shown in Figs. III and IV said tabs overlap the inclosed article 40, for instance, a photograph, card or plate and thus prevent injury to the edges of said article. It may be observed that such articles 40, of different sizes, may be retained in central relation in the envelop as above described, the string 21 or other flexible band, being engaged in the marginal notches of the envelop to a greater or less extent according to the size of the article inclosed, regardless of the size of the reinforcing card 30. Moreover, it is to be understood that said reinforcing card 30 may be omitted if the envelop fabric is of sufficient strength. However, I find it preferable to employ a thin tough paper for the envelop and a reinforcing card of a cheaper grade of material.

The form of my invention shown in Figs. I to VIII inclusive may be conveniently employed as follows: An article being inolosed in the envelop when the latter is in the form shown in Figs. I and II is addressed to one to whom instructions are given either by printed directions upon the envelop, or otherwise, to reverse said envelop to the form shown in Fig. VIII when it is desired to return it; the face of the envelop shown in Fig. VII which is inside when the envelop is in the form shown in Figs. I and II being conveniently provided with the printed name and address of the primary sender; so that it is only necessary to write the primary address upon the face of the envelop shown in Fig. I. v

In order that the envelop above described may be repeatedly used, I find it convenient to provide the same with a display opening or openings 42 to receive a separable address panel 43 which is removably held in position to display an address thereon, by the frame patch 44 surrounding said display opening; said patch being attached to said body portion 1 of the envelop at its extreme margin in such manner as to permit the in sertion and removal of said panel-48. Of course said address panel 43 may be used to display both the primary and secondary address upon the respectively opposite sides thereof, and, in such case it is entirely unnecessary to reverse the envelop and consequently unnecessary to provide the envelop with the perforation 25. For instance, in the form of my invention shown in Figs. IX to XIII inclusive, the envelop 45 is provided with the display opening or openings 46 for the address panel 47 which as shown in Figs. IX and X is held by the frame patch 49; the latter being attached at its extreme margin to said envelop. The primary address may be written upon one side of said panel 47 and the secondary address, viz, the address of the party issuing the envelop and to whom it'is to be returned, may be printed upon the other side of said panel. 7

Although, either form of my invention above described may be provided with postage stamps in the ordinary manner; I find it convenient to slit the envelop body at the opposite ends thereof as indicated at 50 in Fig. I and at 51 in Fig. IX so as to adapt it to receive removable stamp panels 52, one of which is shown detached in Fig. XIII provided upon one face with the stamp 53. It is to be understood that the primary sender of said envelop may provide such a stamp panel 52 with a single stamp or with stamps upon opposite sides thereof, so as to provide the return postage required.

Although I find it convenient to provide the envelop with a string and means for securing the opposite ends thereof as above described, it is to be understood that other flexible bands may be employed, for instance, the fastener may be omitted and endless rubber bands may be employed instead of string. J

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. The combination with a reversible envelop, comprising a quadrangular body portion having flaps upon respective sides thereof, an opening for the passage of a string therethrough and slots extending from said body portion into the respective flaps, crossing the lines where said flaps are folded with respect to said body portion and respectively forming notches at the folded edges of the envelop; of a string; means upon said envelop securing one end of said string thereto; and, a quadrangular reinforcing card fitted in said envelop, having notches upon respective sides thereof adapted to register with the slots in said envelop whereby said body portion may be presented either side out and in either case said string may be wrapped exterior to said envelop and engaged in said notches at the edges thereof and in the notches in said reinforcing card.

2. The combination with an envelop, comprising a quadrangular body portionhaving notches at opposite edges of the envelop;

of a band; and, a reinforcing card fitted in V said envelop, having notches at opposite edges thereof adaptedto register with the notches in said envelop; whereby said band may be wrapped exterior to said envelop and engaged in said notches at the edges thereof and in the notches in said reinforcing card.

3. The combination with an envelop, comprising a quadrangular body portion having notches at opposite edges of the envelop; of a band; whereby said band may be wrapped exterior to said envelop and engaged in said notches at the edges thereof.

4. The combination with a reversible envelop, comprising a quadrangular body por flaps, crossing the lines where said flaps are folded with respect to said body portion and respectively forming notches at the folded edges of the envelop; of a string; and, means upon said envelop securing one end of said string thereto; whereby, said body portion may be presented either side out and in either case said string may be wrapped exterior to said envelop and engaged in said notches at the edges thereof.

5. The combination with an envelop having notches at opposite edges; of a reinforcing card fitted in said envelop, having notches at its opposite edges in registry with the notches in said envelop; reinforcing tabs on said card, having their inner ends respectively attached at the inner ends of said notches therein, adapted to be folded backward with respect to said card over the edges of an article inclosed in said envelop; and, a flexible band; whereby said band may be wrapped exterior to said envelop and engaged in said'notches in said card, with said tabs interposed between said band and the article inclosed by said envelop.

6. The combination with a body having notches at opposite edges thereof; of reinforcing tabs having their inner ends respectively attached at the inner ends of said notches, adapted to be folded backward with respect to said body; and, a flexible band; whereby, said band may be wrapped exterior to said body and engaged in said notches with said tabs interposed between said band and an article inclosed by the latter.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this nineteenth day of October, 191i).

EPI-IRAIM G. SHREVE.

Witnesses ARTHUR E. PAIGE, ANNA ISRAELVITZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). G. 

